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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Malibu 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

567Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
29Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System270 complaints

270 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V400000.

Lighting166 complaints

166 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V107000.

Engine89 complaints

89 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes63 complaints

63 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V107000Reported April 10, 2002 - 10,168 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on April 10, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 10,168 vehicles across all affected models.

14V400000Reported July 3, 2014 - 5,877,718 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on July 3, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 5,877,718 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE05055Opened September 27, 2005 - Closed January 13, 2006

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05055Opened September 27, 2005 - Closed January 13, 2006

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20012
200217
200316
200440
200567
200653
200751
200851
200946
201039
201113
201213
20137
201470
201543
201616
201711
20185
20193
20202
20211
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.